Sonic/ultrasonic authentication device

Abstract

A method for verifying and identifying users, and for verifying users' identity, by means of an authentication device capable of transmitting, receiving and recording audio or ultrasonic signals, and capable of converting the signals into digital data, and performing digital signal processing. Voice pattern(s) and user(s) information of one or more authorized user(s) are recorded and stored on the authentication device. User(s) identification is verified by inputting to the authentication device a vocal identification signal from a user, and comparing the voice pattern of the vocal identification signal with the recorded voice pattern(s) of the authorized user(s), and if a match is detected issuing an indication that the user is identified as an authorized user.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A stand alone credit-card sized apparatus capable of receiving and processing audio signals, comprising:
 a power source; 
 an audio or visual output device; 
 an input device capable of receiving human voice inputs; 
 a data processing device configured to process human voice inputs received by the input device and to generate a packet of digital data indicating a result of the processing; and 
 transmission circuitry adapted to modulate an audio or visual signal with the packet of digital data and transmit the modulated audio or visual signal through the output device. 
 
     
     
       2. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the output device comprises a device for outputting human-audible sounds. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising a database of voice patterns and wherein the data processing device is adapted to compare human voice inputs to the voice patterns of the database. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the data processing device is adapted to activate an application if a match is found in the comparison. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus according to  claim 3 , comprising a data provision unit and wherein the data processing device is adapted to activate the data provision unit, if a match is found in the comparison. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the data provision unit comprises a magnetic strip. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the data processing device is adapted to compare human voice inputs to the voice patterns of the database, with regard to the general voice characteristics. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the data processing device is adapted to compare human voice inputs to the voice patterns of the database, with regard to their word content. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the transmission circuitry is adapted to transmit the packet of digital data through the output device on an ultrasound signal. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the transmission circuitry is adapted to transmit the packet of digital data through an audio output device, modulated on an human audible signal. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the packet includes user identification data. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the packet includes a digitization of a human voice input. 
     
     
       13. A method of processing audio signals, comprising:
 receiving a human voice input by a stand alone credit-card sized apparatus; 
 processing the human voice input, by the credit card sized apparatus, so as to generate a packet of digits indicating a result of the processing; 
 modulating an audio or visual signal with the packet of digits; and 
 transmitting the modulated audio or visual signal through an output device of the stand alone credit-card sized apparatus. 
 
     
     
       14. A method according to  claim 13 , wherein transmitting the modulated audio signal comprises transmitting over a telephone network. 
     
     
       15. A method according to  claim 13 , comprising receiving the modulated audio signal by a computerized system through a regular sound card. 
     
     
       16. A stand alone credit-card sized apparatus capable of receiving and processing audio signals, comprising:
 a power source; 
 an output device adapted to output at least one of human-perceptible sights and sounds; 
 an input device capable of receiving human voice inputs; 
 a data processing device configured to process human voice inputs received by the input device and to generate a result of the processing; and 
 emission circuitry adapted to provide a human perceptible signal representing the result, through the audio output device. 
 
     
     
       17. A credit-card sized apparatus capable of receiving and processing audio signals, comprising:
 a power source; 
 an audio output device; 
 an input device capable of receiving human voice inputs; 
 a data processing device configured to process human voice inputs received by the input device and to generate a packet of digital data indicating a result of the processing; and 
 transmission circuitry adapted to modulate an audio ultrasound signal with the packet of digital data and transmit the modulated audio signal through the audio output device.